Media centre

Thursday 23 Oct 2003

PRECAUTIONARY SPEED RESTRICTIONS - COLWICH TO CHEADLE HUME

Region & Route:

National

Stressing issue: During a four month period over the summer; part of the West Coast Main Line, from Colwich Junction near Stafford to Cheadle Hulme, was closed whilst engineers carried out an immense amount of work – some 70 miles of new track was laid. Following the closure, Network Rail had agreed for Jarvis to carry out additional stressing of some small sections of rail (this is where rail is stretched to ‘weatherproof’ it against very low and very high temperatures). This work is taking place this week and scheduled for completion at the latest by the end of next week. As the rail has not been properly ‘weatherproofed’, precautionary speed restrictions are imposed in very low temperatures (below zero) to guard against the possibility of rails breaking. On Tuesday night (21st) this resulted in just nine speed restrictions being applied at specific locations along a 20 mile stretch (Macclesfield to Stoke), from around 1800-2000hrs until 0700hrs, when temperatures are at their lowest. Last night (Wednesday 22nd) there were no speed restrictions imposed and none are expected tonight. This is not a safety issue but may affect train performance by adding around 10 minutes to some London to Manchester journey times, but only at off-peak times. As works continue, these figures will reduce. As of Thursday 23rd there are potentially two speed restrictions needed if temperatures drop to between 0 and –2oC and a further eight speeds needed if temperatures drop below –2. These are dotted along various locations between Stoke and Macclesfield and will , if they are applied, have minimal affect on services. False records issue: Following this ‘story’, we have subsequently received allegations that Jarvis’ records for the stressing work that was carried out at the above locations had been falsified. Statement from Network Rail. “These are serious allegations and Network Rail is treating them accordingly. There is a full investigation currently underway to look into all aspects of this issue.  It is being led by Peter Henderson, Dir Projects and Engineering and Andrew McNaughton, Chief Engineer. When they have established the true facts of the situation, then the executive directors will decide what action needs to be taken in response to their findings.”